You can see how the bridge towers over the historic Etz Hayim neighborhood in the foreground. The much newer apartment buildings on the edge of the Qiryat Moshe neighborhood are also dwarfed by the bridge's mast.
I heard that one of the reasons for investing so much money in the bridge was to create another tourist attraction in Jerusalem. I suppose that architecture buffs might find the bridge interesting. But is that what is going to bring people to visit our beloved city? Perhaps what we really need is a world class skyscraper. Maybe if we had a top rate baseball/football/basketball/soccer/whatever team the city would be packed with visitors.
All of this is nonsense of course. The prophets tell us that in the future, when the Temple will be built, not only the Jews, but all of the nations of the world will come to Jerusalem. They won't come to gaze at the buildings or the bridges. They will be searching for something much more meaningful: "Even them will I bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer; their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices shall be acceptable upon Mine altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples"(Isaiah Ch. 56:7. See also Zechariah Ch. 14).
This is the day that I long for. The entire world will throw away their idols. I'm not just talking about graven images or false religious/philosophical beliefs. I'm also talking about the over-pursuit of money, fame, material comfort and physical pleasure. Everyone will know that there is an inner dimension to the world, and they will seek it. They will cast off the bonds of bogus doctrines and crass materialism. This is the day when "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea"(Isaiah 11:9).
May we merit to see it.
1 comment:
Amen.
Nice post.
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